Supreme Court extends deadline for linking Aadhaar

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The Unique Identification Authority of India has said that the requirement of Aadhaar for opening new bank accounts or applying for Tatkal passports will continue.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday has extended the March 31 deadline for linking bank accounts and mobile phone numbers with Aadhaar till a final decision by the Apex court is taken in the matter.

It, however, said the government may continue to seek the 12-digit national biometric identifier number of beneficiaries for transfer of benefits of schemes funded from the consolidated fund of India.

The Unique Identification Authority of India has said that the requirement of Aadhaar for opening new bank accounts or applying for Tatkal passports will continue.

A five-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra said the interim order passed on December 15, 2017 shall stand extended till the matter is finally heard and the judgment is pronounced.

During the hearing, Attorney General K K Venugopal requested the court that the extension of the deadline should not disturb the benefits, subsidies and services covered under Section 7 of the Aadhaar Act, 2016.

The provision says that Centre or state governments may seek Aadhaar for establishing the identity of beneficiaries of their schemes.